What Else I Did On My Summer Vacation

Here's week #2 of my Paint Like A Venetian Classes.  From El Paso came Bruce King and Evelyn Posey.  Bruce is an experienced Acrylic Artist and Evelyn was painting for the first time EVER!  Are these great or what!?  I was so proud of them...and me because I had never taught this class in Acrylics before.  It turned out well.

If you're interested in taking Art Classes in the beautiful mountains of Cloudcroft, New Mexico, please send me a note.  We're currently building a new Garage/Art Studio on the lot we bought next door, and I think it might make a great classroom.

The paintings I worked on is one I did for Donna and for our Master Bedroom at the cabin.

Also please check out the new Web Site www.portraitsbyshep.com

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Shep Teaches Art at George Junior High

It was the most fun I've had in a long time to be asked by my long time friend Ron Abney to teach his Art Class at George Junior High in Rosenberg, Texas.  The kids were smart, talented, interested, and interesting.  I've always said that if you'd like to know something about a subject...try teaching that subject.  I'd like to amend that to say that if you'd REALLY like to know a WHOLE BUNCH about a subject...try teaching that subject to a Junior High Class.

To check out Shep's Website Please click HERE! 

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Shep's Winter Class at the Conroe Art League

I just had to brag a little bit, but this class is full of talent!  Two of these folks painted for the first time  in their lives for this early stage.  All the paintings are in the Grisaille Stage.  This is a value study stage using a minimum of color, but look at the subtlety everyone showed in their brush strokes.  The next stage is the Dead Color Stage.  I can't wait to see the next stage.

To see more of Shep's work please click HERE!

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We completed our "Paint Like a Venetian" class last week in Cloudcroft and I think it was a great success.  Just look at the beautiful work my students did.  Jane, on the left is an accomplished Art and Writing teacher.  Her painting of "Yoda" was full of fun and feeling.  Nancy is an award winning song writer and relatively new art student.  This is her first portrait and it's beautiful.  What a great talent!

If you're interested in painting in the mountains next summer, please let me know ASAP!

Click HERE for Shep's Contemporary Fine Art International Web Site!

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Having FUN at Shep's "Paint Like a Venetian" Class

This week has gone perfectly here in Cloudcroft.  The weather for the "Paint Like a Venetian" class has been perfect.  We've been able to paint outside except for one day it was a touch COLD!  The students are doing great, wonderful portraits.

If you're interested in learning the techniques of the Great Masters please let us know as soon as possible.  We're already planning next years schedule.

Click here for Shep's Contemporary Fine Art International Web site.

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Shep's Ready 4 "Paint Like a Venetian" Classes

In August I will be conducting my "Paint Like a Venetian" Classes.  Here's one of the paintings I will be working on in one of the two classes.  As you can see I've barely started the Drawing Stage of this portrait, but I really like the start.  The first day of the first class I will finish the Drawing Stage of this portrait.  The subsequent stages are Grisaille, Warm/Cool, Glazing, and Finishing.

If you are interested in taking classes in the Mountains here in Cloudcroft, weeks 3 & 4 are sold out, so the first and second weeks of August are still available if you act fast.

You too can "Paint Like a Venetian"!

Click here for Shep's CFAI Website!

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Shep at Mayfair in Cloudcroft!

It could not have been a better 67th birthday this weekend.  I spent it in beautiful Cloudcroft, New Mexico showing my art at Mayfair.  I'm pretty sure I met every person in Otero County.  They all turned out for Mayfair.

Besides the paintings and cards sold, the best thing that happened is we sold out the last week in August, Labor Day weekend, for the "Paint Like a Venetian" classes.  There are still places open for the first three weeks in August.  If you are interested or have a group that would like to spend a great week in Cloudcroft, please let us know ASAP.

Click Here for Shep's New CFAI page!

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Shep's "Girl On The Gold Couch" is Finished!

Here's the third painting in the trilogy, that's completed, of paintings from the decades.  It's also the first decade, The 50's!  I've enjoyed these paintings so much.  I'm lucky to have a great model to work with, who always comes up with such great outfits for the decades.  Next up will be the 80's and 90's...I've got to find one of the Cabbage Patch Kids doll's we gave our daughters.

This painting turned out very well and won a nice ribbon at the most recent WAL Show.  It too will be at Mayfair in Cloudcroft this weekend.  It's $1,250 "Framed", 33" x 24", Oil on Linen.

Also, I'll be teaching my Class "Paint Like a Venetian" in the mountains of Cloudcroft this August.  If you're interested, please contact me.  We'll have a blast, painting, hiking, and learning a truly unique way to paint that's great for Pros or Beginners.    

Click here for my Contemporary Fine Arts International page!

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Shep's "Paint Like a Venetian" Classes Starting!

The Brenham Fine Arts League will host my "Paint Like a Venetian" classes starting February 20th and run for 5 consecutive Thursdays through March 20th.  Each week we will work on one of the five steps that make the Venetian method of painting:  Drawing, Grisaille, Warm/Cool stage, Finishing, and Final Glazing.  I will be working on this painting, that is early in the Drawing stage, called "Dance Like Nobody's Watching!"  "Dance" is the third in a series of paintings that depict the same room in different decades.  This painting is from the 70's.  The second painting in this series, from the 60's, "Girl In The Gold Dress" recently won First Place in the Professional/Oil Category at The Woodlands Art League Show.

The classes are $175 for the 5 weeks with a $50 Deposit due by February 17th.  If you are interested, please message me.

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